Resources

Client Alerts, News Articles, Blog Posts, & Multimedia

Everything you need to know about BMD and the industry.

Understanding the Proposed H-1B Filing Fee Changes and the Impact on Workforce Planning

Client Alert

On August 25, 2026, the Trump administration published a proposed rule to impose another $103,265 payment clause on any new H-1B visa “cap-subject” petitions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have given agencies a 30-day period to comment.

If implemented: Which Employers will be Affected by the $103,265 payment?

  • New H-1B Cap Subject Petitions for Overseas Beneficiaries: Affected.
  • New H-1B Cap Subject Petitions for Beneficiaries within the U.S., i.e. “change of status” petitions including OPT/F-1 to H-1B petitions: Affected.
  • OPT to H-1B New Cap Subject Petition: Affected.
  • All future H-1B lottery petitions: Affected.

Who will Not Be Affected by the $103,265 payment?

  • Current H-1B visa holders with the Same Employer: Not Affected. Cap Exempt valid visas and approved petitions may remain unaffected.
  • H-1B Future Extensions and Renewals with the Same Employer: Not Affected.
  • H-1B Portability/Change of Employer: Not clear guidance. If “cap exempt” Not Affected.
  • “Cap-Exempt H-1B New Petitions” related to Universities, Hospitals or Non-Profits: Not Affected.

You can watch BMD Immigration Member Duriya Dhinojwala's interview with NDTV, which is India’s most watched T.V. channel, on YouTube here. She discusses the impact on the future of the H-1B visas if this fee is not stayed by the federal courts. The interview starts at the 3-minute mark.

Contact Duriya Dhinojwala with additional questions and information on this proposed ruling at ddhinojwala@bmdllc.com or 330.253.5790.


Supreme Court Upholds Coverage under the Affordable Care Act

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force under the ACA, ensuring continued no-cost coverage for over 100 preventive health services. The decision impacts millions of Americans and preserves provider reimbursement through insurance.

Health Care Providers Take Note: Federal Budget Brings Medicaid and Staffing Rule Changes

The 2025 federal budget introduces significant changes for health care providers and Medicaid recipients, including new cost-sharing requirements, work eligibility mandates, rural health grants, and a pause on minimum staffing rules.

Key Healthcare Provisions in Ohio’s 2026–2027 Budget

Ohio’s newly enacted biennial budget (HB 96) for FY 2026–2027 brings sweeping changes for healthcare providers across the state. The law includes new Medicaid eligibility requirements, reporting mandates, funding directives, and social policy provisions. Several vetoes by Governor DeWine also affect healthcare-related initiatives.

Providers Beware: Court Sides with Insurers in No Surprises Act Arbitration

On June 12, 2025, the Fifth Circuit ruled in favor of Aetna and Kaiser in two lawsuits brought by air ambulance providers challenging how insurers calculated payments under the No Surprises Act’s Independent Dispute Resolution process. The court held that unless there is clear evidence of fraud or serious misconduct, IDR decisions will stand, reinforcing the finality of the arbitration process.

Introducing HB 281: Enforcement of Federal Immigration Laws in Ohio Hospitals

House Bill 281, introduced on May 20, 2025, would require Ohio hospitals to allow law enforcement, including federal immigration agents, to enter facilities and enforce immigration laws. The bill mandates that hospitals comply with information requests and adopt formal policies, raising significant concerns about patient privacy and access to care for immigrant communities.